January 16, 2023 at 10:51 a.m.
How to succeed in business: RHS seniors launch their own company using Hodag Fab Lab
How to succeed in business: RHS seniors launch their own company using Hodag Fab Lab
By Jake Schexnaydre-
Many young people aspire to run their own business but few have the opportunity to make that dream come true before receiving a high school diploma. Cody Ruetz and Carter Gaber, both seniors at Rhinelander High School, are the exception. The two have yet to don cap and gown but are already operating their own business, called C&C Fabrication, thanks to the support of their technology education instructor and the resources available in the Hodag Fab Lab located inside their school.
Their company specializes in making various products out of wood and metal to be sold in bulk to other Rhinelander businesses.
Some of their most regular clients include the Hodag Store, the Nordic Ski Team and Maker North.
Their products are made through the use of such technologies as 3D printing and laser engraving, as well as woodworking and metalworking. Since Ruetz and Gaber are seniors at RHS, they have access to the school's metal shop and wood shop, and they also have access to a computer lab with printers for engraving and 3D printing.
"We have a couple of helping hands, but none of them are registered employees." Ruetz explained. "It's just me and Carter that do all of the work."
Ruetz and Gaber started C&C in the spring of 2022, after their technology education teacher, Michael Wojtusik, gave them the idea to start a business to utilize their talents.
The two students officially opened the business later in August. They currently conduct all of their business within the Rhinelander area, but do plan to expand to other counties.
"We like to deliver face to face," Ruetz explained. "but right now, we haven't had the opportunity to ship or anything like that."
Some of the things that Ruetz and Gaber appreciate the most about running their own business include having flexible hours and being able to utilize their school's resources to make their products.
"It's a really cool opportunity not having to leave our own high school and just doing it," Gaber said.
Ruetz added that the freedom that the school's teachers and administration have given them is an additional benefit, as well.
"They kind of put their trust in us to be responsible with what we're doing," he explained. "and they know that this can reflect on our futures."
Both Ruetz and Gaber intend to pursue higher education focusing on engineering, and they seek to use what they have learned from their experience with C&C for their future endeavors.
"A lot of the stuff we do, we use a lot of the same programs that we're going to be using in the future," Ruetz explained. "Right away, it's giving us an edge when it comes to college because we have that experience going in."
"It also gives us that experience of running our own small business if we decide to employ ourselves in the future," Gaber added. "It also gives a lot of that customer face-to-face interaction experience."
For anyone interested in their services, C&C Fabrication can be reached via email at 2ccfabrication @gmail.com.
Jake Schexnaydre may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.